Active Scams

HOLLAND TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY BEWARE OF PHONE SCAMS: A MESSAGE FROM CHIEF OF POLICE

Over the past few months, we have received numerous reports of residents falling victim to various types of phone scams. These scams can take many forms, including calls from individuals posing as government officials, law enforcement officers, or representatives from well-known companies. These scammers often use intimidation tactics or offer enticing promises to trick individuals into providing personal information or sending money.

All residents must be vigilant and aware of the signs of a phone scam. Here are some tips to help you protect yourself:

• Verify Caller Identity: Always verify the identity of the caller before providing any personal information or financial details. Government agencies and legitimate organizations will never ask for sensitive information over the phone.
• Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Calls: If you receive a call from an unknown number or a number you do not recognize, exercise caution. Do not trust unsolicited calls, especially if they demand immediate action or threaten consequences.
• Do Not Provide Personal Information: Avoid sharing personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank account details, or passwords over the phone, especially if you did not initiate the call.
• Hang Up and Verify: If you suspect that a call may be a scam, hang up immediately. You can then independently verify the caller’s identity by contacting the organization or agency directly using a trusted phone number.
• Report Suspicious Activity: If you receive a suspicious call, report it to the Holland Township Police Department. By reporting these incidents, you can help us track patterns and protect others in the community.

Remember, scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, so it is essential to stay informed and remain cautious. Educate yourself and your loved ones about common phone scams and how to recognize them.

At the Holland Township Police Department, we are committed to ensuring the safety and security of our community. We are here to assist you and address any concerns you may have regarding phone scams or any other security-related issues.

Grandparent Scams.

In a typical grandparent scam, fraudsters exploit the trust and love between grandparents and their grandchildren. They often pose as a grandchild or other family member in distress, claiming to be stranded in a foreign location or facing legal troubles. In some scenarios, the fraudster will pose as a third party attempting to help their grandchild get out of a sticky situation. The scammer then urgently requests money to resolve the supposed emergency, often insisting that the situation be kept secret.  Two red flags for this type of scam are that the scammers will often create a sense of urgency to pressure victims into acting hastily, and they may also may request that information about the wire transfer be kept confidential.  

Scammer calls instructing people to download apps.

People in the area have reported receiving calls from scammers, sometimes claiming to be from Apple or Microsoft. They instruct the victim to download an app to their pc, laptop, phone or iPad. The app gives the scammers complete access to the device that the app is loaded onto. They then see where the victim banks and tell the victim that there is internal fraud at their financial institution, and they should withdraw money to be deposited into a different ATM machine. NEVER follow any instructions from any unsolicited caller.

Scammer calls impersonating eServices / Card Services at financial institutions.

People in the area are receiving calls from scammers, who claim to be from the eServices or Card Services team, and tell the victim there may have been fraudulent charges on their card(s). They convince the victim to divulge personal information and account information.  It is very important that if you suspect you are speaking to a fraudster to hang up and call the Credit Union directly at 1-800-635-6829 or come by any one of our branch locations to verify if we've been trying to contact you.

Please note the following tips:

• Never provide personal information in response to a Short Message Service (SMS) Text, email or by phone even if they appear to be from the Credit Union. Notify the Credit Union directly regarding this type of contact.
• Never give your password, username or a one-time passcode for Riegel Internet Banking (RIB) or mobile applications. These are items the Credit Union will never ask you.
• Never give your full account number, debit or credit card numbers.
• Review your accounts often to ensure all transactions are valid.

It is very important that if you suspect you are speaking to a fraudster to hang up and call Riegel FCU directly, or come by any one of our branch locations to verify we've been trying to contact you.